but its there. a guided tour of a bolivian prison. myself and a few others went down to see what its all about. we wrote our names down on a piece of paper and a number was written on our arms to ensure the same people came out as went in!
i was not nervous up until i actually saw the courtyard full of prisoners standing around. its a male prison with approximatly 1600 men. we were met by a guy who told us he was in there for having been caught trafficking drugs. he was our tourguide. he got this job because he speaks english. he explained that everything revolves around money in the prison. the prisoners must buy a cell when they arrive for as much as 700 dollars. the price differs according to the location. if they cannot buy one they have to rent it on a monthly basis. there are also shops within the jail. prisoners can also buy these for use during their stay. the jail is seriously underfunded and everyone must find some way of surviving.
shop within the prison
one striking aspect to this place is that the wives and children of long staying prisoners can actually move in and live there. in this picture a woman is selling some food.
the kids come out to meet and collect gifts of candy from the visitors.
sorry but blogger.com seems to insist on loading this picture sideways despite my efforts to correct it.
some inmates devote their time to model and toy making. they can make an income from selling these.
model making materials.
another picture that blogger.com is defiantly loading sideways
the guide explained that if you dont get up for head count at 6 you get thrown in to this water.
or sometimes you just get thrown in here for a joke. as demonstrated by the inmates.
creche.
the kids chant "caramelo....carmelo!"
inmates using the rooftop for spray painting the toys.
inmates peeling potatoes. with knives!
kitchen, where food is cooked for 1600 men every day.
lots of hair dressers around.
another picture that blogger.com is defiantly loading sideways
the guide explained that if you dont get up for head count at 6 you get thrown in to this water.
or sometimes you just get thrown in here for a joke. as demonstrated by the inmates.
creche.
the kids chant "caramelo....carmelo!"
this guy lives in that small space behind him. he has been in the prison for over 30 years. and though he says he wants freedom. our guide didnt believe so.
inmates using the rooftop for spray painting the toys.
...and for drying clothes.
it looks like escaping isnt too hard. and apparently one or two have done it. however being caught incurs an addition of 5 years to your sentance.
behind this wall are the more dangerous individuals.
reassuringly the tour did not go there.
the visit to this place was a striking experience. suffice to say i was glad to get my freedom back at the end of the 2 hour tour. and for anyone thinking of going in there i might say dont do it.
1 comment:
O my God! What a place! Those poor children in jail with their father. That shouldn't be allowed. Their parents choose it but the children have no choice.
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